Door catch



A I 1645,234 Oct 11 1927' w. H. l.. DEIMER v A DOOR CATCH Filed Jan. 3l, 1924 Patented Octll, 1927.

erica.

WILLIAM H. L. DEINER, OF CINCINNAT, OHIO.

DOOR CATCH.

` Application filed January 31, 1924.

rlhis invention relates to a catch or fastenerof the type usually used on refrigerator doors. A

It is aimed to provide an exceedingly simple, inexpensive, durable and generally improved construction of latch of this -character.

The specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawing:-

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation illus- I trating the device applied to fragments of a thereof is shown fragmentarily at A which is adapted to swing relatively to its frame or the casing of the refrigerator also shown fragmentarily at B. It is understood however that no limitation to use of the device in a refrigerator is to be inferred since it may be used in various instances.

Fastened to the door as by screws or the like 10, is a plate or bracket 11 which may have spaced integral ribs 12 thereon. A lever 13 is provided having a handle 14 and a portion 15 disposed intermediate the ribs 12 and pivotally connected thereto as by means of a pin or rivet 16, the lever at portion 15 preferably having bosses 17 integral with it in order to reinforce the same and afford broad bearing surfaces to take up wear. The work end of the lever 13 has an outwardly inclined or deflected portion 18 which terminates in a laterally broadened nose 19. The portion 15 is provided with laterally extending lugs integral with itand adapted to engage the outer edges of the ribs 12 in order to limit inward movement of the lever 13. A stud or keeper 21, preferably integral with the plate 11, pro- Seral No. 689,732.

jects laterally therefrom and reinforcesian L-shaped corner 22 designed to engage av corner of the door A as shown.

Fastened vertically to the frame B is' a latch or catch device generally designated 23, for cooperation with the lever 13. This device 23 comprises a housing 24 of suitable formation having tongues 25 through which fastening screws or the equivalent 26 may be passed to fasten it to the frame. Casing 24 has an enlargement or housing 27 in which an expansive coil spring 28 is located. Housing 27 at its forward end has a slot 29 in which a latch 30 is disposed. Latch 30 is pivotally mounted on a pin 31 spanning ears 32 integral with the housing 27. Said latch is preferably enlarged orV provided with bosses at 33 to strengthen the same and present broad wear surfaces to the ears. The operative end or nose of the latch 30 is wedge shaped or substantially triangular as at 34, having edges 35 and 36. Said latch at its free end and extending inwardly and integrally therefrom has a projection 37 which extends into the adjacent coil of the spring 28 in order to mount said spring in combination with a projection on which the spring rests at its opposite end and which projection is an lintegral part of the housing 27. The spring 28 urges the latch upwardly and outwardly into and maintains it in contact with the stud or keeper 21.

n latc'hing or fastening the door A, it is pushed closed and the stud or keeper 21 forms an'abutment for the face 35 of the latch 30, displacing the latch 30, causing it to move inwardly against the tension of the spring 28. When the stud or keeper 21 has moved past the juncture of edges 35 and 36 the spring 28 urges the latch 30 toward norp mal position so that the edge 36 adjacent the said junction will overlap the stud or keeper 21 and thus the door A is automatically and securely locked or held closed as shown in Figure 2. y

l/Vhen it is desired to open the said door A, the lever 13 is pulled outwardly at handleend 14, which moves the nose 19 inwardly into contact with the edge 35, forcing the latch inwardly against the tension of spring 28 until nose 19 of lever 13 comes in contact with stud or keeper 21. The broadened nose 19 holds the nose 34 of the latch out of the way until stud or keeper 21 is pulled past the nose 34 when the spring 28 forces theV latch Vforward so that edge 35 works against the lower side of stud or keeper 2l and thus throws the door open.

Changes in the details may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention n A door catch, comprising a casing to be secured to a door casing and having a slot therein, ears on said casing arranged adjacent to the slot, an angular latch member pivot-ally mounted between said ears and movable in said slot, a spring` in the casing engaging the free portion of the latch member and normally swinging it outwardly of the'casing, a keeper to be applied to a door and engageable by one angle edge of the latch -member when in latching position, and a'lever adapted to ulcrnm on the door l to engage the other angle edge of the latch member to swing it inwardly of the easing` to release the keeper 'from engagement therewith.

In testimony whereof'l atti); my ture.

signa- WILLIAM L. DEIMER. 

